PPT Etiquette

[4DSJW]

I was talking to a friend about an upcoming PPT that I will be doing, thank you Calguns for the great Private Firearms Sales Forum, and he asked me some questions that I couldn't answer. But I do know just where to go for some good information... all of you!

So what are the standard conventions of a PPT?
-Is it always, or mostly, a cash sale?
-Do you usually pay the seller before or after the DROS is done?
-If you want to field strip the firearm for a look-see where do you do it?
-What if the firearm is not as described? Walk away? Haggle? I'm sure no FFL wants the two of you in his shop arguing with each other.
-What if there is a problem during the DROS, is the deal off and it goes home with the seller?

I am in no way concerned about the seller or the item in the PPT I will be doing, but I couldn't answer any of the questions when I was asked about what would happen if there were various problems.

Thanks for your help!

[pingpong]

I always do cash because checks can bounce.
Pay seller when paperwork is filled out.
I usually fieldstrip it on the counter.
If it's not as described but you still want it, tell him what you're willing to pay. If he won't sell it for you at that price, walk away.
Not sure what happens if there's a problem with the DROS...I'm guessing ownership defaults back to the seller (or maybe the FFL), but FFL has possession of it. Don't take my word for it though.

[Suhleen]

-Cash is King, unless it's a certified money order or cashier's check
-I usually pay before we walk in. DO NOT transfer funds once inside the FFL.
-I usually field strip/inspect outside in my trunk or theirs
-If not describe, decide if you still want or not and how much you're willing to pay
-There shouldn't be a problem during the DROS process. It'll come during the gun's jail time.

[pingpong]

-Cash is King, unless it's a certified money order or cashier's check
-I usually pay before we walk in. DO NOT transfer funds once inside the FFL.
-I usually field strip/inspect outside in my trunk or theirs
-If not describe, decide if you still want or not and how much you're willing to pay
-There shouldn't be a problem during the DROS process. It'll come during the gun's jail time.

I think by DROS he means the 10 day wait. In any case, what's wrong with transfering funds inside the FFL? Is it frowned upon, or is there a more serious reason?

[Suhleen]

I don't know the specifics, but I had it happen to me twice where the individual tried to pay me inside the FFL and both times they said to take it outside. I'm sure someone will chime in who knows the details.

[ZirconJohn]

When I worked at a local gun shop, I never turned-down a buyer & seller field strip inspection, haggle, and money transaction inside the store. The key here was if they [of course] ask first. All I wanted to do whenever they asked was to control the firearm once in the door i.e. check the firearm for safety etc, and no ammo in the box, bag or magazines if any etc.

The key is to ask 'before' bringing the firearm in the store.

[4DSJW]

I think by DROS he means the 10 day wait.

I was wondering what happens when the FFL says that the firearm, the buyer, or the seller come back as a no-go. For instance, what if the firearm is listed as stolen or the buyer/seller is not legally able to own the gun?

Out there yes, but this is after all a "what if" kinda thread. Thank you for your thoughtful responses.

[pingpong]

I was wondering what happens when the FFL says that the firearm, the buyer, or the seller come back as a no-go. For instance, what if the firearm is listed as stolen or the buyer/seller is not legally able to own the gun?

Out there yes, but this is after all a "what if" kinda thread. Thank you for your thoughtful responses.

They won't know until sometime during the 10 days, right? In those cases, I think a stolen gun would fall into the hands of the police. If the seller isn't legally able to own the gun, no harm done, since he/she is getting rid of it by selling it to you anyways. If the buyer (you) are not legally able to own the gun, then you're SOL I think.

Probably should ask something like that in the 2A forms.

[M47_Dragon]

Is it frowned upon, or is there a more serious reason?

There is a reason... but I can't think of it.

All PPTs I've done, the money has changed hands outside of the doors (the one exception was when someone slipped me the cash when nobody was looking ).

[BlackViper]

I've paid the other person inside the store on several occasions with no issue, and I don't see why there would be one. Although, I've only ppt'd at good gun shops too.

[shovel88ci]

If the buyer is turned down, the gun goes back to the seller. So then the seller has the gun and the cash. Then he has to decide how much he wants to give back to the turned down seller.

[berto]

I've always paid inside the store without issue but understand that some stores might prefer otherwise and have no problem with it.

If the gun turns up stolen it should be picked up by the police and they'll surely find the seller. Getting money back might be an issue.

If the buyer fails the background check the seller gets back the gun. A refund should be given to the buyer, perhaps with a penalty for wasting time but that's between the parties.

[Cyc Wid It]

I've paid in store 2x for what it's worth

[1*mike]

Ive done both in store and out in car. The "in car" feels like im buying stolen stuff or weed etc. But I guess it depends who you are selling it to. I may not want to exchange hundreds of dollars in a parking lot with a shady looking person.

[wkd4496]

I was wondering what happens when the FFL says that the firearm, the buyer, or the seller come back as a no-go. For instance, what if the firearm is listed as stolen or the buyer/seller is not legally able to own the gun?

Out there yes, but this is after all a "what if" kinda thread. Thank you for your thoughtful responses.

I was at an FFL when there was a guy who was turned down for the firearm. The seller was also prohibited from owning it as well. So they had to give it to the police department. They wouldn't tell the guy why he was rejected.

This happened 5 days ago.